Matthew Gilbert’s Emmy wishes

This year there are too many good shows and performances. My annual attempt to honor TV’s best with fantasy Emmy nominations has become an exercise in frustration. How to fit only six nominees in each category? A few excellent new shows that arrived during the eligibility period (June 1, 2011-May 31, 2012) are responsible for the overcrowding. Of course, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences still might screw it up. The academy is famous for perseverating on the likes of Jon Cryer and Mariska Hargitay and “Glee.” <br><br>
By Matthew Gilbert

COMEDY
<br><br>I would be hard pressed to choose between “Girls” (pictured) and “Louie,” both of which have expanded the sitcom genre. And then “Nurse Jackie” had its best season so far. And “Parks and Recreation” did, too. And “Community” continues to be TV’s best experiment. There are a number of best-comedy scenarios that would make me happy, none ending with “ee.”
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Charles Sykes/AP

ACTOR, COMEDY
<br><br>Interestingly, this is the one category that has the fewest obvious contenders. Most of the best comedies right now are led by women or by ensembles. I do hope voters take a look at Gann, whose man-dog in “Wilfred” is both snide and innocent. My strongest support goes to Louis C.K. (pictured), as a sweetly passive man who comes alive on stage.
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ACTRESS, COMEDY
<br><br>Dunham gave the kind of brave, unflattering performance on “Girls” that just may change the way women are portrayed in TV comedy. Dern was funny and moving on “Enlightenment,” and Louis-Dreyfus once again proved her adaptability and greatness on “Veep.” Oh, and I know the cute Zooey Deschanel (pictured) hasn’t been nominated yet, but I hate that voters might automatically embrace her. She needs to work on her “New Girl” character.
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SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY
<br><br>I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Driver in “Girls.” He took a twisted character, fleshed him out, and made him unique. Pally is gonzo excellence on “Happy Endings,” and Greenfield (pictured) is the true star of “New Girl,” with his curiously endearing Schmidt.
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SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY
<br><br>“Happy Endings” has grown into an addictive treat, not least of all thanks to Wilson and Coupe. Brie (pictured) is wonderfully game on “Community.” Wiig had a strong final season on “Saturday Night Live,” and Wever is the self-conscious heart of “Nurse Jackie.”
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DRAMA
<br><br>Wow. There’s a lot of top-notch drama here. I still don’t understand the voters’ aversion to “Shameless”; it deserves a nod for portraying the triumph of family in the face of poverty and addiction. “Homeland” was riveting, as was “Breaking Bad” (pictured).
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ACTOR, DRAMA
<br><br>Part of me wants Laurie to finally get the statue for his years of dazzling work on “House.” But Lewis was a revelation on “Homeland,” and Macy went for broke on “Shameless.” There’s no denying the power of Cranston (pictured) on “Breaking Bad,” but three Emmys may be enough. Maybe.
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ACTRESS, DRAMA
<br><br>Danes. Holy color-coded timeline! She exceeded my greatest expectations on “Homeland.” But I do hope Dockery (pictured) gets love for her compromised Mary on “Downton Abbey.” Moss was perfect on “Mad Men” as she brought Peggy along her arc from passive girl to cynical businesswoman, and Pare was charming and indomitable. As a sister mothering her siblings on “Shameless,” Rossum was poignant.
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SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA
<br><br>This category is bursting at the seams, and in a less crowded year, the likes of Coyle (Bates in “Downton”) would be a shoo-in. Norris had his best season on “Breaking Bad,” as the wounded Hank moved closer to discovering Walt’s secret. Pitt (pictured) was unforgettable, as “Boardwalk Empire” revealed his relationship with his mother. And Harris was affecting on “Mad Men” as a guy oppressed by his own decorum. Goggins: I loved him on “The Shield,” but still can’t make sense of his “Justified” character.
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SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA
<br><br>Who is Wilton? She was on “Downton” as Matthew’s mother, who was taken down a few notches this season. She and the superb Smith had a fun volley. Stowe (pictured) was a kick on “Revenge,” as was Lange on “American Horror Story.” But my strongest support goes to Gunn, who has brought so much intensity to “Breaking Bad.”
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